Reclamation celebrates America’s Great Outdoors Rivers Initiative on Colorado River at Laughlin, Nevada

Media Contact: Rose Davis, 702-293-8421

For Release: July 23, 2012

Boulder City, Nev. – U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Anne Castle will join officials from Nevada’s Clark County and the town of Laughlin, to open the Colorado River Greenway Heritage Park and Trails to the public. This recreation area offers outdoor opportunities on approximately 1,191 acres of open space along the Colorado River just south of Davis Dam. The dedication will be held at the Blue Gateway Bridge – South Plaza, on the southwest corner of State Route 163 and Casino Drive in Laughlin.

The Colorado River Greenway Heritage Park and Trails was selected in May by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to serve as a model for the America’s Great Outdoors Rivers Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to conserve and restore key rivers across the nation and expand outdoor recreational opportunities. The project, a partnership of the Bureau of Reclamation, Clark County and other federal, state and local partners, provides recreation opportunities to visitors of all abilities with accessible trails and fishing areas.

The recreation area includes nine miles of trails, day-use areas, picnic sites, shade shelters, fishing piers, equestrian facilities and a highway bridge overpass and underpass providing safe pedestrian access to the area and riverfront opportunities along the Colorado River. Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails all provide outdoor activities with scenic vistas of the Colorado River, Davis Dam and the Laughlin area. The first phase of construction, totaling $24 million, was funded through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, along with $2 million from Clark County.

Who: Anne Castle, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science

Janel Potucek, Reclamation’s Acting Lower Colorado Regional Director

Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commissioner

What: Celebrate the opening of a nationally recognized America’s Great Outdoors recreation area along the Colorado River. Remarks will be offered in a short ceremony, followed by a ribbon-cutting with photo opportunities, a tour of the area and a media opportunity at one stop in the area.

When: Friday, July 27, 2012 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: Colorado River Greenway Heritage Park and Trails in Laughlin, Nev. The ribbon cutting will take place at the Blue Gateway Bridge – South Plaza, on the southwest corner of State Route 163 and Casino Drive in Laughlin.

Tour: Following the ceremony, the media are invited to board a bus and tour the amenities of the Park and Trail. A media opportunity will be provided in a shaded picnic area at the site.

If you have questions or are interested in attending the ribbon-cutting and site tour, please contact Rose Davis, 702-293-8421 or jdavis@usbr.gov.

This effort promotes the area’s connection with President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative (http://americasgreatoutdoors.gov) which focuses on reconnecting Americans to their natural environments. Recreation at these areas also supports first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Outside! and the Department of the Interior’s Youth in the Great Outdoors programs. To learn more about these activities, please visit www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside or http://youthgo.gov.

Directions to the Laughlin Greenway Heritage Park and Trails from Las Vegas:

• Turn left onto Nevada State Route 163 and head east for about 19 miles

• At the stoplight in Laughlin, turn right (south) onto Casino Drive

• Take the first right to enter the Bridge Trailhead area

• Take the first right to enter the parking area for the event

• Signs will direct you to the event location adjacent to the bridge.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.